Spacer Profile with Offset Supports for Floor Gap Bridging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for bridging the connection joint between a floor covering and a wall struggle to adapt to different floor covering thicknesses without compromising the load-bearing capacity, as they require shortening of the spacer profile, which can impair stability.

Innovation Solution

A spacer profile with angularly offset contact surfaces allows for various rotational positions, enabling adaptation to different thicknesses with stable support, and can be designed as a rectangular hollow or solid profile with offset supports for fastening anchors, eliminating the need for additional fastening to the subfloor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the spacer profile is shortened to adapt to different floor covering thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but load-bearing capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different floor covering thicknessesVSAvoidload-bearing capacity of spacer profile
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer profile incorporates a movable support leg that can be positioned at different locations along the profile length. This movable element allows the spacer to adapt its effective length to match different floor covering thicknesses while maintaining full structural integrity, as the support leg can be repositioned rather than permanently removed or shortened

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer profile is divided into multiple segments or sections, with the support leg capable of being positioned at predetermined locations along the profile. This segmentation allows selective activation of different support positions to match various floor covering thicknesses while preserving the complete structural framework for maximum load-bearing capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the support leg is provided with predetermined separation points for shortening, then ease of manufacture is improved, but load-bearing capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of shortening spacer profileVSAvoidload-bearing capacity of profile pieces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating static separation points that compromise structural integrity, the invention uses a movable support leg that can be repositioned along the profile at predetermined locations. This dynamic approach allows easy manufacturing with marked positions while maintaining continuous structural support and load-bearing capacity throughout the entire profile length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spacer profile is designed with multiple contact surfaces for rotation, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability through rotational positionsVSAvoidcomplexity of spacer profile structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer profile incorporates asymmetrically positioned contact surfaces at different locations along the profile length. By rotating the profile to different angular positions, each contact surface can engage with the floor covering at optimal positions, providing adaptability to various installation scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece profile structure without complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2802718B1Device for bridging a gap between a wall and a floor covering
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 NEUHOFER FRANZ JUN
  • EP2802718B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2802718B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for bridging the gap (4) between a wall (2) and a floor covering (3) having a base profile (5) that is supported in one longitudinal edge region on the floor covering (3) and in the opposing longitudinal edge region on a spacer profile (6) on the wall side, which spacer profile rests on an underlay (1) for the floor covering (3). According to the invention, in order to achieve a simple adaptation to different support heights, the spacer profile (6) has at least two contact areas angularly offset with respect to one another around the longitudinal axis of the profile and supports for the base profile (5) opposite said contact areas, wherein the support lengths determined by the distance of the supports from the associated contact areas are different.